The Lord be with you. Recently a report of a study Pew Foundation) conducted last Fall among Generation Next members offered a picture of where much of our younger population stands today. GenNexters those between the ages of 18 and 25 years. When asked what goals they had set for themselves, 80% said that becoming rich was either their most important or second goal for the years ahead. Some 50% reported that becoming famous was a highly valued goal.
This report fits well with the gospel story today. Perhaps the patron saint of the Gen Nexters should be the steward Jesus described. That steward was clearly seeking a comfortable way of life by limiting his master’s income and by easing the burden of his master’s debtors. The master was shrewd enough to recognize the steward’s worldliness even if what he did was fueled by dishonesty. The steward is a model of concern first and foremost for oneself — which seems to be the primary way of thinking among the Gen Nexters.
Jesus knew well the many people who are trying to live a spiritual life often fail to be enterprising, energetic and resourceful when it comes to caring for the spiritual well-being of our communities – our families, our work community, our neighbors and our parish community. Too often we slip up when there is a genuine opportunity to offer a suggestion of encouragement or correction when it would help another person. In our times we default to a so-called respect for privacy rather than becoming involved with others who seem headed for what is not good. We forget that being a follower of Jesus Christ also expects of us to care for one another. Jesus taught us that time and again in his homilies, his teachings.
We might ask ourselves if we are lukewarm when it comes to developing a genuine and strong spiritual life that is directed both toward God and our neighbor. 20% of the Gen Nexters reported that they have no religious affiliation or that they are agnostic or atheist. This 20% is double was was reported in a similar study in the late 1980s. This should give all of us a cause to wonder what has happen ed. Why are the Gen Nexters so distant from God? I think we might ask ourselves: how strongly have we tried to make religion in our lives, our community lives? Could we be allying ourselves with the view of the Gen Nexters who believe that only 40% of their generation sees becoming more spiritual as an important goal for living?
"Becoming spiritual" is what St. Paul encouraged those who listened to him. He encouraged them to develop a living relationship with God that would extend to love for others. A living relationship with God: let’s look at this for a moment. If a couple are dating or are married, could you call it a living relationship if there is only weekly or monthly contact between the couple? A living relationship with God is no different. It requires more than a weekend Mass. It is a bold statement to make but I often have wondered if the new kind of life put on the priest’s desk today has greatly diminished the living relationship with God which consequently has diminished his own spiritual life which then has weakened his ability to be a man of prayer and reflection. St. Paul’s letter contains a telling remark about priestly holiness. He wants for them a "quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity."
The same for parents: has the increased activities that have been put upon parents’ plates also brought about a diminished spirituality, a diminished ability to make religion important in the day-to-day life of their children. Just a question, not an accusation!
I believe most priests today would say that our society is materially rich, but it is spiritually poor in so many ways. Yet, God continues through the Church and writings of the gospels to present his desire for all of us to have that same time for a "quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity" so that we can strengthen our own spirituality. Without we will never accomplish it. Ask yourself: how much time do I spend in personal prayer and communal worship? How much time do I spend in caring for the physical and spiritual needs of others ... especially teaching our children about God and our Church?
As St. Paul says in the letter to Timothy, God "wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Can God bring this about without my help, without your help? This is a serious question for each of us today.
This report fits well with the gospel story today. Perhaps the patron saint of the Gen Nexters should be the steward Jesus described. That steward was clearly seeking a comfortable way of life by limiting his master’s income and by easing the burden of his master’s debtors. The master was shrewd enough to recognize the steward’s worldliness even if what he did was fueled by dishonesty. The steward is a model of concern first and foremost for oneself — which seems to be the primary way of thinking among the Gen Nexters.
Jesus knew well the many people who are trying to live a spiritual life often fail to be enterprising, energetic and resourceful when it comes to caring for the spiritual well-being of our communities – our families, our work community, our neighbors and our parish community. Too often we slip up when there is a genuine opportunity to offer a suggestion of encouragement or correction when it would help another person. In our times we default to a so-called respect for privacy rather than becoming involved with others who seem headed for what is not good. We forget that being a follower of Jesus Christ also expects of us to care for one another. Jesus taught us that time and again in his homilies, his teachings.
We might ask ourselves if we are lukewarm when it comes to developing a genuine and strong spiritual life that is directed both toward God and our neighbor. 20% of the Gen Nexters reported that they have no religious affiliation or that they are agnostic or atheist. This 20% is double was was reported in a similar study in the late 1980s. This should give all of us a cause to wonder what has happen ed. Why are the Gen Nexters so distant from God? I think we might ask ourselves: how strongly have we tried to make religion in our lives, our community lives? Could we be allying ourselves with the view of the Gen Nexters who believe that only 40% of their generation sees becoming more spiritual as an important goal for living?
"Becoming spiritual" is what St. Paul encouraged those who listened to him. He encouraged them to develop a living relationship with God that would extend to love for others. A living relationship with God: let’s look at this for a moment. If a couple are dating or are married, could you call it a living relationship if there is only weekly or monthly contact between the couple? A living relationship with God is no different. It requires more than a weekend Mass. It is a bold statement to make but I often have wondered if the new kind of life put on the priest’s desk today has greatly diminished the living relationship with God which consequently has diminished his own spiritual life which then has weakened his ability to be a man of prayer and reflection. St. Paul’s letter contains a telling remark about priestly holiness. He wants for them a "quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity."
The same for parents: has the increased activities that have been put upon parents’ plates also brought about a diminished spirituality, a diminished ability to make religion important in the day-to-day life of their children. Just a question, not an accusation!
I believe most priests today would say that our society is materially rich, but it is spiritually poor in so many ways. Yet, God continues through the Church and writings of the gospels to present his desire for all of us to have that same time for a "quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity" so that we can strengthen our own spirituality. Without we will never accomplish it. Ask yourself: how much time do I spend in personal prayer and communal worship? How much time do I spend in caring for the physical and spiritual needs of others ... especially teaching our children about God and our Church?
As St. Paul says in the letter to Timothy, God "wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Can God bring this about without my help, without your help? This is a serious question for each of us today.
